Introduction
More than half of the body is made up of water, and for the body to function properly, it needs to maintain a certain level of fluid. To maintain the fluid balance inside the body, micro minerals are needed in huge amounts.
This is where the term electrolytes come into the frame. The micromineral we are talking about is electrolytes. These electrolytes are basically minerals that carry electric charges in the blood, urine, and other bodily fluids.
However, it isn’t enough to eat only food and get all the necessary electrolytes. Electrolytes work together with your body to give smooth functionality. Hence, you must ensure that you have the right balance.
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Healthy Benefits Of Electrolytes
Our body needs a variety of electrolytes to function. And each electrolyte has a host of benefits. Let’s look at the specific electrolyte and see what benefits they offer.
Sodium is the main electrolyte in our body. With the help of potassium, sodium helps the body to regulate blood pressure and overall bodily fluid. Therefore, the sodium level in your blood is important as it regulates blood pressure. Despite its importance, you cannot go overboard with sodium consumption. A high dosage of sodium can result in hypertension.
We mentioned in the post that potassium is one of the common nutrients people are missing from their diets. Similar to sodium, potassium is responsible for regulating bodily fluid. Although we are talking about potassium individually, it doesn’t work alone. You will always find it working alongside sodium.
Chloride is the negatively charged ion of the chemical Chlorine. It helps the bodily fluid to maintain its pH value. Furthermore, it helps to regulate and maintain blood pressure.
Magnesium has several health benefits. For starters, your brain needs magnesium to perform properly and maintain a steady heart rate. It also helps your muscles relax after muscle contraction and alleviate the cramps associated with exercise.
Zinc is an important part of the electrolyte family that boosts your immune system and regulates metabolism. It also plays a key role in healing your wounds. In addition, zinc is necessary to our sense of taste and smell.
Sources Of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are found in the foods we eat. In fact, you may already know which fruits and vegetables are rich in which minerals.
For instance:
- Celery and beets contain sodium
- Potatoes and bananas contain potassium.
- Green and legume vegetables contain magnesium.
While all these foods might be a natural source of electrolytes, none of the foods contain the perfect balance of electrolytes needed for hydration.
This is why electrolyte packets are getting popular. Electrolyte packets are nothing but the powder form of all the electrolytes. You can easily consume them by mixing them in water. Water itself helps rebalance electrolytes, which is another benefit of drinking water.
Electrolyte Packets: Are They Healthy?
Electrolyte packets are a great way to get some convenient electrolytes while you are out working out. The electrolyte packet contains a mix of necessary electrolytes needed by your body.
This includes:
- Calcium.
- Potassium.
- Magnesium.
- Sodium.
- Phosphate.
- Chlorides.
These minerals are collectively responsible for regulating water and other fluids in your body.
Knowing how important electrolytes are for your body, you might consider taking electrolytes at every interval. However, doing so can be dangerous. Whether we are talking about too much or too little – both can be a problem.
Unless you drink only distilled water or do heavy exercises, the requirement of the electrolyte will be completed by your daily diet. The only time you would need an electrolyte packet is when you push your physical body to the limits and sweat a lot.
Now coming to the question – Are Electrolyte Packets Healthy?
The answer is YES. They are healthy provided you are not misusing them and find a healthy option with no added sugar. As long as you limit yourself to the point where you are using it when necessary, it is healthy and replenishes body electrolytes.
Are Hydration Packets Harmful?
As of now, there has not been any specific evidence to prove hydration packets are harmful. But, that doesn’t mean you will keep taking electrolytes even when it is not necessary.
Talking electrolytes more than you can result in hyper electrolyte imbalance. For instance, too much calcium can result in kidney stones, while too much sodium can increase your blood pressure.
A good rule of thumb would be to use hydration powder while working out heavily or spending elongated time in the heat.